Marcus holds a BM in jazz performance from Valdosta State University and MM in trombone performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Marcus currently lives in Kansas City, MO where he leads his own quintet, 18-piece Big Band and continues to tour with Grammy Nominated vocalist, Janelle Monáe.
Marcus released his debut CD in 2012 entitled “Facing East” which features a world class line-up including Logan Richardson on Alto Sax, Adam Larson on Tenor Sax, Pablo Masis on Trumpet, Andrea Lewis on Vocals, Sam Harris on Piano, Aidan Carroll on Bass, and Tommy Crane on Drums. The album was featured in Vogue Magazine as being one the top albums on Janelle Monae’s 2012 Summer Playlist. Marcus Lewis is currently working on music for a new CD to be released in the fall of 2016. Marcus Lewis is the Artistic Director of Future Jazz, a nonprofit dedicated to Jazz Education.
Marcus has performed at venues that include the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the Klaipeda Jazz Festival in 2003, and the Jimmy Carter Summer Concert Series in 2008. As a sideman, he has also performed at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, the 2010 New Orleans Jazz Fest, the 2011 Glastonbury Festival, the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Concert and the 2012 North Sea Jazz Festival, the Sydney Opera House, and for President Barack Obama at the White House in 2011 and 2012. Television shows include SNL, David Letterman, The Today Show, Jools Holland, Arsenio Hall, and American Idol. Marcus was awarded the 2008 Betty Carter Jazz Residency and the 2003 Outstanding Soloist award at the Wichita Jazz Festival.
Some notable artists that Marcus has performed and/or recorded with are Aretha Franklin, Prince, Janelle Monáe, Bruno Mars, B.o.B, Jidenna, Musiqsoulchild, Avery Sunshine, The Barkays, Confunkshun, and Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players. In addition to an active touring and recording schedule, Marcus stays busy writing, arranging, teaching and leading clinics and master-classes worldwide.
Dr. Robert Foster integrates a wide range of interests and experiences into the music he performs and composes. A versatile woodwind performer, he honed his musical skills in Detroit, where he was immersed in the varied sounds that city is known for—jazz, blues, Motown, funk, rock, and classical music.
He furthered his studies and professional experience in the Los Angeles area and Colorado, where he obtained his doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado, and played lead alto sax in the Downbeat award winning Lab Band I.
As a Professor of Music in the Department of Music at Augusta University, Dr. Foster directs the jazz ensembles, teaches courses in improvisation, theory, jazz history, and world humanities. He also teaches and coordinates applied instruction on woodwinds.
Dr. Foster has performed with jazz artists such as Ralph Alessi, Louis Bellson, Dave Brubeck, Ravi Coltrane, Michael Dease, Dizzy Gillespie, Wycliffe Gordon, Lalo, Art Lande, James Newton, Terrell Stafford, Clark Terry, and Rodney Whitaker, as well as with popular artists such as Joey Bishop, Albert Collins, Charlie Daniels, John Denver, The Four Tops, Crystal Gayle, The Ink Spots, Melissa Manchester, Maureen McGovern, Bob Newhart, Olivia Newton-John, Mitch Ryder, The Temptations, The Platters, etc.
He can be heard with several ensembles in the Augusta area, ranging from Rob Foster & Pulsar to Symphony Orchestra Augusta.
Born and raised in Miami, FL and currently residing in Atlanta, GA, Nick’s calling for music began at a young age when he began plucking tunes out at the piano. Fast forward a few decades and he has become one of the most sought after musicians in the southeast, traveling and performing all over the country and the world.
Nick’s resume as a sideman includes some of the best and most diverse artists in the music world. He’s toured with Russell Gunn and Dionne Farris, Col. Bruce Hampton, and Yonrico Scott. He’s appeared on albums by Curtis Fuller, Donnie, and Julie Dexter. And he’s shared the stage with artists such as Jennifer Holliday, Roy Ayers, Nathan East, Jamison Ross, Grant Green Jr., Nicholas Payton, Tony Momrelle, Scott Henderson, and Paul Jackson Jr.
Nick released his debut album, “Step Into The Light”, on Ropeadope Records in early 2015. The album went to #13 on the iTunes Jazz charts on release day, and the single, #41, garnered a favorable review from Soulbounce.
Nick keeps a busy schedule, touring with The Shadowboxers out of Nashville, working with his own bands, and performing with a number of artists and musicians around the Atlanta area and beyond.
Brandon Boone, a native of Augusta, Georgia, is an Atlanta-based bassist. Growing up in a very talented household, music runs deep in the family. His father is a church pianist/minister of music and his brother is a professional drummer in the Atlanta area. Moving in from Augusta as an avid performer, Brandon shares much of his musical influences in many genres such as electronic, jazz, rock, hip-hop, funk, and fusion.
Performing and recording credits include notables such as Rodney Whitaker, Wycliffe Gordon, Tim Armacost, Yonrico Scott, Sam Skelton, Trey Wright, Tyrone Jackson, as well as many other highly respected musicians. Brandon is a member of the Disneyland 2016 All-American College Band. He also appeared in the HBO film “Bessie”, starring Queen Latifah and Monique. Brandon is studying bass with Marc Miller and drum set with Justin Chesarek at Kennesaw State University. He is thankful to have found himself in his current situation with great teachers and looks forward to the next step in his music career.
Brandon is currently playing regularly in various Atlanta-based groups, and shares his time collaborating with artists and bands from across the country.
Brandon proudly plays Moollon basses and Asterope instrument cables.
Since arriving in Atlanta in August, 2008, Justin Chesarek, a transplant from rural Pennsylvania, has made quite a name for himself. He isn’t your average session drummer. While frequently playing gigs with Gary Motley, Gordon Vernick, Will Scruggs, and some of the city’s finest big bands, Justin also flexes his composing muscles with his group The Tree-O of Love, who maintain a regular Wednesday night gig at Churchill Grounds, Atlanta’s premier jazz club.
Pulling diverse influences from jazz, classical, rock, and world music, Justin writes and plays music with emotion, putting his artistry and talent in every note and beat he comes across. The end product is jazz – the virtuosity of Bebop and a retro-modern mindset oozing with musicality and a beat that gets the inner ear thumpin’. Justin speaks of how composing as a drummer allows him to supply more of a concept of drums in melody and gives him the opportunity to inject different rhythms and colors.
Consorting with members of jazz royalty including Houston Person, Jerry Bergonzi, and Johnny O’Neal, just to name a few, Justin is regulary asked to perform with some of the biggest names around.
A graduate of Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA., Justin holds a Bachelors of Music in Education. Under the direction of Dr. Stephen Hawk, Justin completed a tw-week European tour, making appearances at the Montreaux Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival.
Justin finished his Masters of Music in Jazz Studies in May, 2010 at Georgia State University and currently teaches at Emory University and Kennesaw State University. He is on the board of directors for the Atlanta Lovers of Music Association. Justin endorses Vic Firth drum sticks, brushes, and mallets.